Earnwood and Highley Manor Court Rolls 1380-1

For most of the second half of the 14th Century, Highley and Earnwood were held by Philippa de Mortimer, widow of Roger V. On her death in 1382, the manors should have reverted to the ownership of the then then head of the family, Roger VI. However, he was still in his minority and thus the manors were briefly run by the Crown, which was acting as ward for Roger. The following document is probably a summary drawn up by the royal administrators of all the revenues that had accrued from the most recent manor court rolls whilst still the property of Philippa. The original documents are in the National Archives (SC2/197/106).

The manor courts dealt with minor breaches of the criminal and civil law and also regulated the transfer of property following the death of a tenant or for any other reason. Whenever this happened, the family of the deceased had to pay a “heriot” to the owner of the manor (either a sum of money or some item belonging to the deceased) and the incoming tenant paid an “entry fine” to gain possession of their new land or house. All members of the manor were required to attend the court (the homage) or face a fine.

The Highley court rolls are badly faded; however, around half to two thirds of the entries are legible.

The initial translation was carried out by Dr Sylvia Watts and the Odericus Vitalis Latin group based at the Shropshire archives; further work on the Highley Court Roll has been done by the Four Parishes Heritage Group.

Earnwood Court Rolls

11th October 1380

Ernwood. Court held there 11th day of October in the 3rd year of the reign of King Richard the Second after the conquest

The homage there present that William de le Pole makes default
Distraint It is still ordered to distrain John att Holyns that he be at the next court to reply to Henry Sawyer in a plea of debt
Attachments .... 9d...
Sum 9d

In expenses In expenses of the steward of ...being there for holding the courts of Arley, Ernwood and Highley and doing other business there, all in money, 2/8.


26th April 1381

Ernwood Court held there 26th day of April in the 4th year of the reign of King Richard the Second after the conquest

Distraint It is still ordered to distrain John att Holyns that he be at the next court to reply to Henry Sawyer in a plea of debt
Amercements The homage present that William Bolker (3d), Roger de le Grene (1d) and William Sichewall (distrained) make default. And that Tyliot de Wolfhale, William at Pole at Aldenam, Thomas de la Hulle have ruined houses; it is ordered that they repair them before the next court on pain of 40d.
It is granted for the augmentation of Richard of Rushbury one croft called Carterscroft near Ylgeresfeld rendering thus a yearly rent and the yearly service thus due. And it is said that the rent is 6d a year; to hold to him and his according to the custom of the manor. And he gives 12d for a fine. And does fealty, pledge for the fine, William Hugyns.
Remains Thomas Bolker acknowledges himself to hold 4/6 of Thomas de le Lowe to pay him or his representative at the feast of St John the Baptist next following without delay, at the payment of which the said Thomas Bolker binds himself his goods and cattells whereever he shall be...
Fine 6d John Robyns renders unto the Lady’s hands one messuage and croft formerly of Robert atte Pole to the use of Hugh de Rulond. And the lady grants the said land to the said Hugh to hold to him and his according to the custom of the manor and he gives 6d for the fine and does fealty, the pledge for the fine Adam de le Hulle.
Fine 12d John de Ardern renders into the lady’s hand one cottage with a croft called Stileshous in Ernwood to the use of Richard Deukeshull. And the lady grants the said land to the said Richard to hold to him and his according to the custom of the manor. And he gives 12d for a fine, and does fealty by the pledge of William Hugyns and William de Berchey and for the upkeep of the tenement.
Amerc’ 12d John Foxcote is in mercy for waste on his customary land cutting underwood there as appears in the court of the preceding year
Amerc’ 6/8 Robert Amysson puts himself in mercy for the same trespass imposed on him as appears in the court held there the 21st day of April in the second year of King Richard.
Remains Be it remembered that the names of the pledges of Walter Taylor, bailiff of the liberty of Cleobury above are annexed to this roll until we shall have the rolls of the court of Cleobury etc for serving well, collecting and faithfully paying the lady’s money
Attachments Nothing

Sum 10/5

Thus in expenses of the steward for holding the courts of Arley, Earnwood and Highley, and doing other business there…. 2/6


5th June 1381
Ernwood Court of William Wyne and his fellows held there the 5th June in the fourth year of the reign of King Richard the Second after the conquest.

Homage Presents that Edith Brian and Joneta de Bradley hold certain lands and tenements within the liberty of Cleobury and suit of court which they have not done. It is therefore ordered to the bailiff of the liberty to distrain the said Edith and Joneta for relief and doing fealty before the next court.

Sum nothing

Total sum of 3 courts 11/2

Highley Court Rolls

10th? October 1380
Highley. Court held there 11th day of October in the 3rd year of the reign of King Richard the Second after the conquest

Homage? ... there that William de Birch (iid) ....

Remains .....

Fine 12d Robert de la Low (or Walter de la Pole?) gives to the land of the Lady… that messuage called Palets ? for 3 ... to the use of John atte Hulle . And the lady gives the aforesaid land to the aforesaid John for him and his to hold according to the customs of the manor and he gives for a fine…. And does fealty..

In mercy William Hamond, Willo Astley, John Palmer, Robert atte Lowe, John de la Hyll.., Willo Holloway ..... cut the Lady’s wood. And the aforementioned sold wood …le Ladymore by ...

... Reeve Willo Hamond is made elected in the office of reeve and is sworn

..... And by attachment ....

.... John Palmer ..... with... John .....

Sum 12d

22nd April 1381

Highley Court held there 22nd day of April in the 4th year of the reign of King Richard the Second after the conquest

3/4 The homage presents that Katherine Hankyns, villein of the lady of the manor [married?] out of the manor without licence. And that Agnes Hankyns who married herself to William de Caner- by the pledge of Javyn de Ardern and John Bernard who make.. aforesaid Agnes.. for 3/4 …. aforesaid pledge…

And that Nicholas Herman, villein, has died without a heriot to the lady.

John Palmer renders into the hands of the lady one messuage and half a virgate of customary land and Forleclond called Hermonesplace rendering thus 10/- a year and ... thus as customary tenant. And he also renders into the hands of the lady one croft and nook of customary land formerly of Roger le Bonde who rendered 2/7 a year—And he also renders into the hands of the lady a pasture calleds Dodelefelde from the demesne land which renders 8d a year, to the use of William Harfat called Trugge. And the lady grants the said land to the said William to hold to him and his according to the custom of the manor. And he gives 4/- for a fine by pledge of William Rogers de Ca- and does fealty.
Attachment From an attachment as appears by a schedule prepared about it there remains 8d

Sum 8/-


5th June 1381
Highley Court of William Wyne and his fellows held there the 5th June in the fourth year of the reign of King Richard the Second after the conquest.

The homage there presents nothing.




Total sum of the perquisites of 2 courts 9/7